Firewood and Wood Stove Basics – Five Lessons for Heating with Wood

 Ah, the smell of wood smoke and the roaring fire crackling. What better way to heat your home than with wood? And if you live in an area where you can cut your own trees, it's even more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than other methods.

Here are five tips for heating your home with a wood pellet stove insert that will make sure you get the most out of this method:

Buy seasoned firewood pellets
When it comes to buying firewood pellets, seasoned is the new green. Seasoning is the process of drying wood for at least six months before use. It tends to burn longer and cleaner than fresh-cut logs, which means less ash buildup in your fireplace or stove, less creosote (the stuff that causes chimney fires), and fewer toxic emissions into the atmosphere.

Keep the door closed
While the door is open, you are losing heat. In fact, a wood pellet stove insert with the door closed will use less wood than one that's half-open. That's because when you keep the firebox tightly sealed, smoke doesn't get into your house and helps keep your heat source burning longer.

There are many ways to get a fire going
You can create fire by laying newspaper and kindling over a bed of small, dry pieces of wood. Then light the paper with matches or a lighter. Most wood pellet stove inserts will have a lighting mechanism to simplify this process.

You don't need to burn 24/7 to make it worthwhile
Another important topic to consider is how long you plan to use your wood pellet stove insert. If you're planning on using your wood stove only during the coldest months, then there will be little reason to buy an ample supply of firewood pellets.

Don't neglect your chimney or insert
While you're venting your stove, inspect your chimney and insert. You should clean it at least once a year, but if you use the stove regularly, it's a good idea to clean it every three months or so.